Winding spool



Nov. 29, 1932.

C. K. DUNLAP WINDING SPOOL- File'd Nov. '7. 1930 Patented Nov. 29, 1932 Wires miss- CHARLES 1;. DUNLAP, or rran'rsvinnng sourrr onnoLI vA, nssreivon TO sonoco rnonucrs COMPANY, or HnRTsvILLE, sou'rn CAROLINA, A CORPORATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA WINDING SPOOL Application fi-led'November '7, 1930. Serial No. 494,111.

This invention relates to, spools, bobbins, or: thelike, and to apparatus for assembling the same; and it has for its objects the provision of an improved spool or-bobbin for thread, wire, or similar material, the end discs ofwhich" are secured to the body members thereof'by means of novel fastening elements, and also the provision of novel apparatus for applying these fastening elements to the spool.

More particularly, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide novel securing elements, for attaching the end discs or flanges r of a spool'to the body portion, which involve the features of ease and economy of manufacture, simplicity of construction, and rigidity and durability of the resulting assembled spool.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a practical device for applying the securing elements to the body member and end discs of a spool, in which device there are employed a minimum number of simple parts, and which is susceptible of operation byhand, foot or mechanical power.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connectioniwith the accompanyingdrawing in which certain embodiments of theinvention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of one embodimentof the novel spool construction and-apparatus for assemblingthe same; the upper securing element being, in final assembled position and the lower one shown in process of being applied;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of one end of the spool;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the securing elements in contracted position prior to being applied to the spool;

Figure 4'is a fragmentary vertical sectional view'of one end of aspool in which a modified formof securing means is employed;

Figure-5 is a side elevational view of one of the securing elements shown in Figure 4c; and

Figure 6 is an end view of the same element.

The spool, designated generally in the drawing by thenumeral 10, is provided with a preferably cylindrical core or body member 11 whlch maybe tubular witha'bore 12,

as shown, or which may be solid and provided with openings or recessesin the endsthe novel securing elements which will presentlylbe describe In order to avoid the insecure or expensive means of fasteningthese end discs and flangesto the cores of the spools, such'asby the use. of nails or other more complicated fastening devices, there has been devised the simple annular or parti-annular securingelements which form an important feature of the present invention. In the modification lllustrated in Figures 1-3, inclusive, of the drawing, the securing element is designated by the numeral 15 and is seen tobe' in the form of a ring the ends offwhich, in contracted position, are adaptedto'overl ap as at 16 (Fig. 3). These elements are preferably formed offiat strips of metal having, their margins flared radially outwardly as at 17 and 18.

In applying these elements to thespool, the end disc 13" is positioned with respect to the body member 11 so that the aperture 14 of the end disc registers with the cena tral bore or opening 12 ofthe body, member. The securing element 15'is inserted in the opening so that substantially all of: the element except one of the flanges is disposed within the opening 12 and aperture 1 1. The element 15 is then designed to be expanded so that the inner flange 18 is embedded in the inner wall of the body member. The outer flange 17 is adapted to overlie the margin of the aperture 14; in-the end-disc 13 and to securely retain the disc in position. The

flange 17, if desired, may: be made somewhat Vwider than the inner flange 18, the last named flange being designed penetrate but a short distance into the material-formingthe body member of thespool.

The circumference of the member 15 is QTY predetermined with reference to the dimensions of the bore 12 and aperture 1e so that when the securing element is expanded into its final position in the end of the spool, the overlapping ends will move into abutting position as indicated at in Figures 1 and 2. This will effectively prevent dislodgment of the fastening element and it will be readily seen that the device may be applied to a spool without expanding or distorting the head thereof. ltavill also be perceived that the element 15 functions not only as a securing means for the assembled parts of the spool but also as ameans for reinforcing both the body member lland the end disc or flange 13. I V

In Figure 1, there is illustrated a simple and effective mechanism for applying the fastening element16 to a spool, reel, bobbin, or similar device, as described. The operation and construction of this mechanism will be readily understood. The mechanism consists essentially of a block 22 which is disposed upon the bench, table or other support 23 and is provided with the central aperture 2a havingtapered walls, the purpose of which will be apparent as the description proceeds. Disposed within the aperture 2a is a preferably cylindrical sleeve which is split from-the upper end thereof to a point near the lower end at spaced intervals around the circumference thereof as shown at 26. This gives to the sleeve '25 the co formation of anannular base portion 27 from which extend upwardly peripherally spaced'strips or fingers 28. wvithin the sleeve there is adapted to slidingly reciprocate the plunger 30 which is adapted to pass also through the opening 31 in the table 23. Upon the upper end of the plunger 30 there is formed a tapered portion 32 which, in the present case, takes the form of the frustum of a cone. The piston 30 may be reclprocated by any convenient means, a preferred means being indicated in Figure 1 and comprising the lever or pedal 35 which is fulcrumed as at 36 upon the fixed bracket 37 and is pivoted to t1 e lower end'of the plunger 30 as by means of the pin and slot connection 38.

In applying one of the securing elements 15 to the end of a spool, the various parts are disposed as indicated in Figure 1, with the element 15, end disc 13 and body member 11 disposed around the expander sleeve 25 and supported by the block 22. It will'be readily seen that by depressing the pedal 35, the tapered head 32 of the plunger 30 will be drawn downwardly 7 within the expander sleeve 25, thus forcing the fingers or" furcations 28 radially outwardly. This will, of course, expand the member 15 until the ends thereof move into abutting position as at 20 and the flange 18 is firmly embedded in the walls of the opening 12. Upon release of pressure fromthe pedal or lever 35 the plunger will be returned to its initial position by any suitable means, such as the spring 40. The spool may then be removed from the device and the opposite end thereof as sembled in the same way.

No further securing means is necessary than that which has just been described but, of course, a bushing of any suitable size or material may be inserted in the ends of the completed spool for the purpose of providing bearing means for an axle which may be inserted therein.

An alternative modification of the securing element is illustrated in Figures 4-6, inclusive. In this modification, one or more securing elements 15 may be employed, these elements being formed of curved strips provided with flanges 17 and 18 and being of arcuate shape of any preferred extent less than 360. In the form illustrated, two of the fastening elements 15 are employed, each being somewhat less than semi-circular. The

inner flanges 18 are adapted to be embedded in the walls of the opening 12 in the body member 11 and the outer flanges 17 are adapted to overlap the margins of the aperture 14 in the end disc 13, as in the example first described. In this form, however, it ispreferred that a bushing 41 be employed both for the purpose of providing axle bearing means and for retaining the securing elements 15' in position. The elements 15 may be applied by means of the device illustrated in Figure 1, as in the case of the first embodiment, or they may be expanded by employing a bushing d1 which is formed with a taper 42 upon its inner end and thus forcing the elements 15 radially outwardly during the progress of the bushing into the opening 12.

The body member 11 is formed of any rigid material into which the flanges 18 or 18 may be embedded, such as pasteboard, fiber, soft wood or a similar substance. The end discs 13 may be of the same material or may be constructed of metal, if desired, Bushings 41, although preferably made of wood, may be constructed of pasteboard, fiber, metal or any suitable material.

It will be seen that there has been provided, by means of the present invention, a novel and eminently practical securing element for spools, reels, bobbins, or the like, and one,-

the use of which, willeffect great economies in the production of such winding elements as have been mentioned, which are used in very considerable numbers in the textile, electrical and other industries.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments herein illustrated and described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spool, in combination, a tubular barrel, a pair of end disks disposed in contact with either end of said barrel and each provided with a central aperture registering with the bore of said-barrel, curved metallic securing elements of considerable arcuate extent disposed within said disk apertures and the ends of said barrel, each of said elements snugly contacting the periphery of one of said apertures and having a flange adapted to overlie and retain the margin of said aperture and another flange adapted to be embedded in the material of said barrel, said elements bein of definite longitudinal cross-sectional con guration and of an original diameter smaller than the diameter of said apertures, and adapted to be moved radially into position during the application of said end disks without longitudinal distortion of said elements, and wooden plugs disposed with a driving fit within the ends of the bore of said barrel centrally of said securing elements.

2. In a spool, in combination, a barrel pro,- vicled with a tubular opening in an end thereof, an end disk having a central aperture adapted to register with said opening, a split annulus expanded into said opening and aperture without longitudinal distortion for securing said disks to said barrel, a pair of spaced flanges formed on said annulus, one of said flanges, when the spool is assembled, overlying the margin of the aperture in said end disk and the other flange embedded in the material of said barrel within said tubular opening.

3. In a spool, in combination, a barrel pro- Vided with a tubular opening in an end thereof, an end disk having a central aperture adapted to register with said opening, a split annulus expanded into said opening and aperture without longitudinal distortion for securing said disks to said barrel, a pair of spaced radial projections formed on said annulus, one of said projections, when the spool is assembled, overlying the margin of the aperture in said end disk and the other embedded in the material of said barrel within said tubular opening.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

CHARLES K. DUNLAP. 

